Chapter 328
Rolling up to Linda's door, I gave it a knock, and her voice floated out, "Come in!"
I pushed the door open and there she was, grinding away in her office.
She was all dolled up today, looking sharp as ever, with a little sparkle in her eyes.
"Mrs. Foster, you needed me?"
She glanced up, ice-cold, and snapped, "Why didn't you come to pick me up today?"
Oh crap, I totally spaced on that. I stammered, "Uh, I thought you didn't need me."
"You thought? Since when do you get to think?" Linda shot back, "What's been going on over there these past few days?"
"Over where?"
"John, cut the crap!"
Linda's eyes narrowed, "Don't push me."
I chuckled, dropping the act, and sauntered over, perching on the edge of her desk, looking down at her, "Mrs. Foster, what’s your game? Planning to off me or just mess me up?"
"Aren't you scared?"
"Mrs. Foster, you wouldn't dare. I’m still useful to you."
I said it like it was no big deal, "And if something happens to me, trust me, all our dirty laundry will be out in the open the next day!"
"You wouldn't dare!" she hissed, her composure momentarily cracking.
"What do I have to lose, Mrs. Foster? I’m not sweating the fallout."
Linda frowned, staring me down, but I didn’t flinch. Finally, she leaned back in her chair, "You’ve got guts!"
"You should know that by now."
"I do like gutsy people, John."A slow smile spread across her lips, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Which is why I'm going to offer you a deal. Whether you like it or not."
I perked up, "What kind of deal?"
"Katherine. She's attractive, wouldn't you say?" she suddenly asked.
"Very," I agreed, my interest piqued.
"Do you like her?"
"I like her, but she’s not into me. If a chick’s hot, I’m into her. Like you, Mrs. Foster!"
I reached out to touch her face, and to my surprise, she didn’t pull away, letting me stroke her cheek.
"Tell me, John," she murmured, her voice barely a whisper. "Would you be willing to… spend some time with her? Intimately?"
I was floored, catching on to her game!
Playing dumb, I asked, "Mrs. Foster, what are you getting at?"
"Exactly what it sounds like."
"Help me seduce her, and I’ll give you whatever you want."
I smirked, "Including you?"
"Don’t push it."
"Mrs. Foster, why do I sense a little excitement in your voice?"
Her face darkened, "Just tell me, are you in or out?"
"What’s in it for me?"
Honestly, I had the upper hand now, while Linda was scrambling.
"What do you want?" she asked straightly.
"Let me think…" I tapped my chin thoughtfully. "What could I possibly want?" I met her gaze, my eyes filled with knowing amusement. "What do you think I want, Mrs. Foster?"
Her eyes flicked to my crotch, and she gritted her teeth, "You’re not getting that!"
"I can give you money, how about ten million dollars?"
I weighed it, 'Ten million would’ve been a lot before, but now, I’m rolling in it too.'
Seeing me shake my head, she frowned, "John, don’t get greedy."
"I don’t get it, why frame her when it doesn’t do you any good?"
"Fifteen million, final offer!"
"Can you really cough up that much cash?"
"If you agree, I’ll give you a deposit right now!"
I thought, 'She’s desperate to give me a deposit, something’s fishy.'
"Fifteen million is a lot, but I’m more into beautiful women. Mrs. Foster, you know what I want, right?"
"John, you’ve already got Grace, what more do you want? Me?"
Her words got me all fired up.
Grace called her sister, but they were actually relatives. I smirked, "Mrs. Foster, you got it, I want you too."
"You’re disgusting!"
She was fuming, "Get out, get out now!"
"What if I don’t?"
"John, I'm warning you, if you lay a finger on me, you're done for!"
"You said that last time, and look at me, still standing."
"Get out, or I'm calling security!"
"Go ahead, scream louder, let the whole office hear!"
I sneered, her resistance only making me want her more.
She’s the wife of the Skyliho Group's owner, Grace's sister-in-law, and my boss. All those titles just make me want her even more.
She kicked and thrashed, but I pinned her down on the desk, holding her hands to stop her from fighting back, "Mrs. Foster, keep it down, you don’t want anyone to hear, do you?"
"John, you despicable, ungrateful bastard, I’ll kill you one day."
"John, you won’t get away with this, I’ll make you beg for mercy!"
I ignored her threats.
"John, you disgusting pig, get out..."
"I’m going to kill you..."
I opened the window to let some fresh air in.
Linda was drenched in sweat, her voice hoarse from all the cursing, just like yesterday in the car.
"Mrs. Foster, take a breather, all that yelling’s gotta be tiring!"
"John, you’ll regret this one day!"
I grabbed her chin, "Do you regret messing with me?"
She stayed silent, but I could see the regret in her eyes.
After she straightened herself up, I left the office.
It was satisfying, but my back was killing me.
I called Ava to come pick me up.
Ella had no classes today, so I called her out. She showed up in a floral dress, looking stunning.
She was all smiles when she saw me.
We headed to Tianhai Tower, and after the intros, Rita said, "Ms. Martinez, welcome aboard!"
"Please, call me Ella."
Rita smiled, "Mr. Cena filled me in yesterday, and I’m on board with his plan. I’ll handle marketing, and you’ll take care of production."
Ella nodded, "Sounds good. Are we starting with skincare or cosmetics?"
"Cosmetics!" Rita said, "Skincare is tougher to push, but cosmetics are easier. Like the GlowBoost Exfoliator, it’s flying off the shelves!"
"Great, I’ve done some homework on this, especially on lipstick."
"Lipstick? That’s awesome!"
Rita exclaimed, "Lipstick development here has always been lacking."
They dove deep into their cosmetics talk, and I was just glad things were off to a good start.
The meeting dragged on for over an hour. Rita said, "I’ll gather the staff now and introduce you to everyone."
Ruyi Cosmetics had over thirty employees.
After the intros, Rita said, "This will be your office, right next to mine. According to company policy, a deputy manager gets an assistant. Write down your requirements, and I’ll have HR sort it out."
"No rush on the assistant. What we need most is a lab, a production line, and raw materials!"
"That’s easy. I’ve already had the procurement department order the materials, and they should be here this afternoon. As for the lab and equipment, we’re all set!"
Ella was surprised, "Such thorough prep. I can start formulating products this afternoon. Give me a few people to help. Once the marketing plan is set, we can start online promotion within three days!"
Three days, that speed blew my mind.
If that’s the case, Everlasting New Media will have some work to do.
The fan base there had already hit over ten million, and the first batch of folks had just gone on a trip to Willowbrook Heights the day before.
"No rush, let’s eat first."
I invited all the Ruyi Cosmetics staff to lunch downstairs.
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